In the zigzag milling of a pocket having islands, tool retraction is one of the primary factors that decrease productivity. Therefore, tool path with minimum number of tool retraction has been needed. Most researches about this topic have been concentrated on obtaining the optimum solution formulated through the geometric reasoning off pocket. Recently, several attempts were made to simplify this problem into region partitioning in order to get the numerically expressed minimum solution. In this research, a method reducing the number of tool retractions extended from existing region partitioning is provided. Applying the segment that is normal to the reference direction of zigzag milling, region partitioning is carried out and structural elements of the region are searched via graphs of islands and characteristic points. Through the processes presented, the number of region partitioned is less than that of existing processes.

In the milling operation, the burr can be generated on the intersection of cutting tool and workpiece. Due to burr formation, we expect lower efficiency in the operation and the cost increase. In order to understand the burr formation mechanism in the milling operation on the arbitrary feature, we developed an algorithm to analyse and predict the exit burr formation mechanism. Firstly, the recognition of arbitrary shaped workpiece was done through the CAD data. This data includes point information on the vertices of the workpiece. Secondly, tile CAM data regarding tool geometry, tool path, cutting speed, and material data are retrieved to simulate the actual cutting process. Thirdly, we predict the exit burr formation on the edge of workpiece based on the geometric analysis. Lastly, an algorithm implemented in the Windows environment to visualize the burr formation simulation. With this information, we can predict which portion of workpiece would have the exit burr in advance so that we call manage to find a way to minimize the edit burr formation in the actual cutting.

As the networks (i.e., intranet and internet) proliferate all over the world, it is inevitable to move some (or all) of the enterprise activities into virtual spaces. Differently from business data, product data have complex semantics and thus are not properly exchanged among different application programs. Even though some neutral formats of product data have been developed by standard organizations, exchanging them among various application programs still needs the comprehensive understanding of the complex semantics. Recently, it is widely recognized that capturing more knowledge is the next step to overcome the current difficulties on sharing product data. In this paper, we utilize the ontology concept in order to facilitate information search far product data in the internet environment. A prototype of search system implemented using the ontology for automobile product data is presented.

A key factor far realizing the internet-based virtual manufacturing system(VMS) and virtual enter-prise(VE) is how to precisely and effectively represent the machine elements and mechanics. In this paper, we present methods to represent the numerically controlled machine tools in the internet environment. The method is composed of: 1) geometrical modeling of the machine tools, 2) kinematic modeling for the movements of the machine tools, and 3) representing the developed model in the internet infrastructure. Based on the models. a web-based virtual machine tools (WVMT) is developed, and it can be accessed at hrrp://wvmt.postech.ac.kr. The WVMT can be used for various purposes: 1) web-based virtual manufacturing system, 2) web-based CAM system, and 3) CNC educational tools for the vocational school through internet.

For more complete process planning, machining sequence determination is critical to attain machining economics. Although many studies have been conducted in recent years, most of them suggests the non-unique machining sequences. When the tool approach directions(TAD) are considered fur a feature, both machining time and number of setups can be reduced. Then, the unique machining sequence can be extracted from alternate(non-unique) sequences by minimizing the idle time between operations within a sequence. This study develops an algorithm to generate the best machining sequence for composite prismatic features in a vertical milling operation. The algorithm contains five steps to produce an unique sequence: a precedence relation matrix(PRM) development, tool approach direction determination, machining time calculation, alternate machining sequence generation, and finally, best machining sequence generation with idle times. As a result, the study shows that the algorithm is effective for a given composite feature and can be applicable fur other prismatic parts.

It is not possible to exchange parametric information of CAD (Computer Aided Design) models based on the current version of STEP (Standard leer the Exchange of Product model data). The design intent can be lost during the STEP transfer of CAD models. The ISO Parametrics Group has proposed the SMCH (Solid Model Construction History) schema in June 2000 that includes structures fur exchange of parametric information. This paper proposes the macro parametric approach that is intended to provide capabilities to transfer parametric information. In this approach, CAD models are exchanged in the form of macro files. The macro file contains user commands which are used in the modeling phase. To exchange CAD models using the macro parametric approach, modeling commands of commercial CAD systems are analyzed. Those commands are classified by the grouping method suggested by Bill Anderson. As a neutral file format, a standard modeling commands set has been defined. Mapping relations between the standard modeling commands set and the native modeling commands set of commercial CAD systems are defined.

In stamping-die manufacturing, the first step is to build die patterns for lost wax casting process. A recent industry trend is to manufacture the die pattern using 3-axis NC machining. This study identifies technical considerations of the pattern machining caused by the characteristics of Styrofoam material, and proposes technical methods related to establishing a process plan and generating tool paths for optimizing the pattern machining. In this paper, the process plan includes the fellowing three items: 1) deter-mining a global machining sequence-a sequence of profile, top, bottom machining and two set-ups, 2) extracting machining features from a pattern model and merging them, and 3) determining a machining sequence of machining features. To each machining feature, this study determines the machining start point, generates the approach tool path, and proposes a tool path linking method fur reducing the distance of the cutter rapid motion. Finally, a smooth tool path generation and an automatic feedrate adjustment (AFA) method are introduced far raising the machining efficiency.

A geometric kernel is the library of core mathematical functions that defines and stores 3D shapes in response to users'commands. We developed a light geometric kernel suitable to develop CAD/CAM application systems. The kernel contains geometric objects, such as points, curves and surfaces and a minimal set of functions for each type but does not contain lots of modeling and handling functions that are useful to create and maintain complex shapes from an idea sketch. The kernel was developed on MS-Windows NT using C++ with STL(Standard Template Library) but it is compatible with UNIX environments. This paper describes the structure of the kernel including several components: base, math, point sequence curve, geometry, translators. The base kernel gives portability to applications and the math kernel contains basic arithmetic and their classes, such as vector and matrix. The geometry kernel contains points, parametric curves, and parametric surfaces. A neutral fie format and programming and document styles are also presented in this paper.